Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
By Randy Gurzi
With Jadeveon Clowney on the way out, the Cleveland Browns need help at defensive end. Could Marcus Davenport be a potential replacement?
In 2020, the Cleveland Browns began their pursuit of defensive end Jadeveon Clowney but they were unable to land him. Instead, he joined the Tennessee Titans but after playing in just eight games due to an injury, he finally landed in Cleveland in 2021.
Clowney had a great campaign with 37 tackles and nine sacks but then in 2022, things came crashing down. He had 28 tackles with just two sacks and was quick to point the finger at everyone else for his struggles.
With the No. 1 overall pick from 2014 on the way out, the Browns will need to add someone else to play across from Myles Garrett. Could Marcus Davenport end up being an option?
Does Marcus Davenport fit with the Browns?
In 2018, the New Orleans Saints traded up in the NFL Draft to take Davenport out of Texas-San Antonio. It was a bold move but they believed he would be the missing piece on their defensive line.
That never really happened as Davenport had nine sacks in 2021 but outside of that, recorded just 12.5 in the other four seasons he was in New Orleans. This past year, he had 29 tackles and a half-sack which has led to speculation that he could be on the way out.
Listed at 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, Davenport would be an excellent fit on Cleveland’s defensive line — from a talent standpoint. He has enough power to hold up at the line of scrimmage but has also shown enough athleticism to play from a two-point stance.
Putting him on one side and Garrett on the other while Jim Schwartz employs his Wide-9 scheme could have some great benefits. The problem is, Davenport would bring one of the same concerns they just had with Clowney — durability.
Should the Browns target Marcus Davenport?
In five seasons, he has yet to play an entire campaign and has missed 21 games. For whatever reason, the Browns are full of players who miss time — especially on defense.
For that reason, it would probably be best to sit this one out. Davenport has the talent but that won’t matter if he can’t suit up.
